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Report: Pirates, Mercer discuss extension

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates are interested in locking up their shortstop long term.

The club and Jordy Mercer have "had preliminary discussions" about a possible contract extension, a source told Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Over his first five seasons in the majors, Mercer hasn't yet played at an elite level, but he's been serviceable.

Mercer is coming off an 11-home run season, and drove in a career-high 59 runs over 149 games.

Though he hasn't proven to be an above-average middle infielder, the 30-year-old is one of the best in the business when it comes to making routine plays, owning a career .981 fielding percentage. In 2016, he finished with a .985 mark, good for fifth among all shortstops.

In terms of Defensive Runs Saved, though, his minus-9 was among the worst in the majors at his position, as was his Ultimate Zone Rating (minus-8.4).

In his second of three years of salary arbitration eligibility, Mercer made $2.075 million last season.

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